Business, general

Watchdog or wimp?

Article Abstract:

Issues are presented concerning the doubts expressed about the independence of the Commonwealth Ombudsman's Office following its acceptance of funding from the Australian Taxation Office during an investigation into the behavior of tax officers.

Tax-deal anger

Article Abstract:

Methods employed by the Australian Taxation Office to secure tax settlements with investors are discussed. The ethics and legality of asking investors in mass-marketed schemes to surrender rights under the Freedom of Information Act are examined.

The Australian Taxation Office's examination of a collection of tax schemes for gaining unjustified GST credits is presented. It is supposed that hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue are at risk.